Over 100 years at the forefront of medical innovation
Dr. Raymond Kralovic founded STERIS Corporation in 1985.
STERIS Corporation successfully launched its flagship SYSTEM 1 liquid chemical sterilant processing system in 1988 and grew around that platform through a series of acquisitions, including Amsco International in 1996 (which provided the company with a more comprehensive line of sterilization equipment and consumable products for healthcare and life sciences organizations as well as a strong offering in operating room equipment products) and Isomedix, Inc (which enabled STERIS to enter the contract terminal sterilization services market for single-use medical devices and certain consumer products).
AMSCO International is recognized for pioneering the asepsis environment in hospitals by creating the modern day sterile operating room and treatment facilities for patients and clinicians.
STERIS acquired Albert Browne Ltd in September 2004.
The business was founded in 1870 by Albert Browne.
The Company has become the technological leader in the field of sterilization monitoring, the main features of Browne indicators being bright easily interpretable colour changes whilst ensuring that the product remains environmentally friendly by not using any lead or heavy metals. A landmark in the Company’s history was in 1931 when a Dr. A.W. Chapman brought to Brownes a chemical indicator for sterilization. He had invented this product because of an outbreak of childbirth fever in the mid 30’s at a Sheffield hospital where his wife was a paediatrician. The cause of the problem was traced to a sterilizer operator who was not in fact operating the sterilizer at all and there was no indication that the products had been through a process. Dr. Chapman was a chemist at the University of Sheffield, having identified the need and undertaken the initial development for the chemical indicator, he sought a means by which the product may be marketed.
The Browne Sterilizer Control Tube consisted of a glass tube approximately 45mm x 5mm containing a fluid which changed colour from red through amber to green (exactly like road traffic lights) after a certain time and temperature integration had been reached.
The Browne Tube only monitored time and temperature and Dr. (now professor) Chapman, amongst others, realised the need to monitor the three criteria needed for steam sterilization – time, steam and temperature. He invented the basics of what is now the world leader steam in sterilization monitoring – T.S.T. products (Time, Steam and Temperature) the product chemically monitors all three parameters, to the extent that if any one is not present to sufficient levels, the reaction will not take place.
The product represents a major advance in chemical technology in that the parameters are sensitively monitored. It is widely accepted as being the best in the world from a technical point of view. The product consists of a paper strip onto which is printed a chemical ink; this ink changes from yellow to purple when the necessary criteria for steam sterilization have been satisfied.
